Virgin Atlantic has announced it will be launching new, direct, transatlantic
flights from Belfast and Glasgow next summer

Virgin Atlantic is to begin a new route from Belfast to Orlando in June 2015.

The seasonal route, departing once a week on Thursdays, will be introduced at the same time as a new direct service on the carrier’s current Glasgow to Las Vegas service.

The carrier will be the only airline to fly these routes. It is the first time Virgin Atlantic has operated out of Northern Ireland and will also be the first time it has flown directly from Scotland to Las Vegas.

APD on all long-haul scheduled flights from Northern Ireland was cut in 2011 by the Government, in a bid to encourage more airlines to launch routes from there and stimulate the local economy.

Connecting flights with Delta Airlines will take passengers onwards to Dallas, from Orlando and Seattle from Las Vegas.

The Belfast to Orlando route will operate in June and July, starting on June 25, 2015. Seats will be on sale through Virgin Holidays this week and Virgin Atlantic from July 25 next week.

The Glasgow to Las Vegas flights will run in September and October, from September 10, 2015.

Fares will be available through Virgin Holidays this week and through the airline directly from mid-October.

Craig Kreeger, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic said: “I am delighted we are able to offer customers in Northern Ireland and Scotland the opportunity to travel on Virgin Atlantic to two of our most popular leisure destinations next summer.”

Win one of 40 holidays worth £800,000 Telegraph Travel Awards 2014: vote for your favourite destinations and travel companies for the chance to win one of 40 luxury breaks worth a total of £800,000.